Legislative Update: Keeping the Public Safety Community Informed

There are a number of Workers' Compensation-related bills circulating in the State Legislature, a few of which have a direct impact on the public safety community. The following is a review of these bills, and their status as they progress through the California Legislature.

Senate Bill 1234—Marty Block (D-San Diego)—expands Labor Code Section 4850 to certain park rangers designated by a local agency, members of the California Community College Police Force, Welfare Fraud Investigators, Child Support Enforcement Officers, and others. As of May 29, 2014, the bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hopefully, the bill will be released from that committee and continue its path through the legislature to the Governor's desk.

Assembly Bill 1035—John A. Pérez (D-former California State Assembly Speaker)—extends the timeline for filing for death benefits under Labor Code Section 5406.6 from 240 weeks to 420 weeks for peace officers who sustain an industrially-related cancer injury that results in death. The bill was signed into law by the Governor in May of 2014. You can read a copy of the bill here.

Assembly Bill 2378—Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno)—overturns the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision in the Knittel case, amends Labor Code Section 4656, and restores the one-year salary continuation when public safety officials have a Workers' Compensation-related temporary disability. This bill has passed the Assembly and is being considered by the Senate. This bill will allow certain public safety officers to receive one year of full pay and up to two years of Workers' Compensation temporary disability.

A number of the attorneys at Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein, LLP (GEK) are members of the Legislative Committee of the California Applicants' Attorneys Association, lobbying legislators to support favorable Workers' Compensation legislation, and to prevent adverse Workers' Compensation legislation. GEK advocates for injured workers both in the courtroom and in the legislature. We will continue to keep you updated on the outcome of the 2014 Workers' Compensation legislation that has a direct impact on the public safety community.

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Pursuant to Labor Code Section 5432(a), making a false or fraudulent workers' compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine. For more information, click here.